infer

in•fer

[[t]ɪnˈfɜr[/t]] v. -ferred, -fer•ring

1) to derive by reasoning; conclude or judge from premises or evidence

2) to guess; speculate; surmise

3) (of facts, circumstances, statements, etc.) to indicate or involve as a conclusion; lead to

4) to hint; imply; suggest

5) to draw a conclusion, as by reasoning

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Etymology: 1520–30; < ML inferre to imply, L: to bring in, advance =in- in-+ferre to bring, carry, bear I in•fer′a•ble, in•fer′ri•ble, adj. in•fer′a•bly, adv. in•fer′rer, n. usage: Many usage guides condemn infer when used to mean “to hint or suggest,” as in The next speaker rejected the proposal, inferring that it was made solely to embarrass the government, holding the position that the proper word for this meaning is imply and that to use infer for it is to lose a valuable distinction. Many speakers and writers observe this claimed distinction scrupulously. Nevertheless, from its earliest appearance in English infer has had the sense given in definition 3 above, a meaning that overlaps with the second definition of imply when the subject is a condition, circumstance, or the like that leads inevitably to a certain conclusion or point.